By Bloodhorse.com
TUCSON, Ariz. (Dec. 6, 2016) — Calling his career in horse racing as well as his association with California Chrome “a lifetime dream,” trainer Art Sherman accepted the 2016 Big Sport of Turfdom Award from the Turf Publicists of America at the Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming Nov. 6 in Tucson, Ariz.
Sherman guided 5-year-old California Chrome this season to prestigious victories in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) and Pacific Classic (gr. I), and won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Preakness Stakes (both gr. I) with him in 2014. California Chrome is the all-time leading money-earning Thoroughbred based in North America.
“I wouldn’t be here without my crew and my wife of 55 years, Fay,” Sherman said. “This has been a great life for me and my family, and I appreciate this honor.”
Master of ceremonies and Santa Anita Park track announcer Michael Wrona introduced Sherman by saying “His responsiveness to all requests and his accessibility and likability,” are what earned the award. Sherman received a standing ovation as he approached the podium.
Sherman briefly recounted his career, which began as a 16-year-old working for Rex Ellsworth, which entailed getting on a young horse named Swaps, whom he would follow to Kentucky Derby glory. Sherman spent 23 years as a jockey before starting his training career. He recounted visiting the Kentucky Derby museum shortly before Chrome’s Derby, and being guided to Swaps’ grave there, where he told his one-time partner that he hoped Chrome could come close to being as good as Swaps was.
Sherman said he was “privileged to be among the great trainers to win the Kentucky Derby.”
He further thanked Chrome’s many fans, saying, “I can’t get on an airplane without signing an autograph or taking a picture. It’s been great for bringing people into this game.”